They don't live here anymore...

Me in the Arts & Heritage Center Gallery moments before
we began the un-install of "River Remnants."

A few weeks ago Ken and I brought my "River Remnants" exhibit home--with help from our friends at the Art and Heritage Center Gallery and a big truck from the Town of Windsor.

It was a good run.  The new volunteer group enabled the gallery to be open four hours a day, Wednesdays through Fridays, from January 14 to March 29.  They are incredible to volunteer so much time to support my art and now the art of those who follow with exhibits in the gallery space.  Thank you so much!!

We held workshops, talks, receptions and this exhibit led to speaking opportunities with Windsor High School art students and the Windsor Rotary Club.

I met so many interesting people and enjoyed new connections and friendships.  
But, it was time to bring the sculptures home.  And, with a sad farewell to my pals, Andrew, Caitlin and Kali and to the beautiful gallery space that I saw and fell in love with the first year in Windsor, we headed for home.

The beautiful north gallery of the historic Art and Heritage Center in Windsor, Colorado.

Kali Dhayatkar, Museum Educator; Caitlin Heusser, Museum Curator;
and Andrew Dunehoo, Arts and Heritage Manaager, all with the
Town of Windsor as we begin the "un-install" of
"River Remnants--The Artwork of Toby Baker."

And, that's when I realized that bringing ALL my sculptures home reminded me of when our kids would come home from college.

It was GREAT to see them, it was WONDERFUL to embrace them, it was FANTASTIC to have them home for awhile--and, it was very clear that they didn't live here anymore.

It surprised me.  I knew I missed them and was looking forward to having them home again--but, once we brought them all into the house I realized that we had moved on.

Ken and I raised five children and it was our house rule that the oldest kid still at home got the biggest bedroom.  I don't think Kris had even left the driveway before Shannon was painting "her" new room.  That, of course, meant that when our kids came home from college for holidays and vacations, their old bedroom was now inhabited by someone else. Having them home was a celebration but they were developing their own lives as were those of us still at home.  They were family but on guest status.

"Embrace" in the quiet corner of the south gallery in the
Windsor Art and Heritage Center.

While these sculptures were in the "River Remnant" exhibit, I have been busy creating new work--some of which is currently on exhibit in the Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley and some hanging on precious wall space formerly occupied by "River Remnant" pieces.  

Their "bedrooms" were occupied by new inhabitants.  

Ken and I tried to hang as many pieces as we could but new work was taking precedent.  We tried to place 3-D sculptures on table tops and windowsills, but it began to look like clutter rather than art and I finally had to box most up to store in the garage.  

Shaking my head and feeling like "the kids" had all moved home with all their belongings, I decided it's time for tough love.  

"Embrace" now sharing coveted space with "River Run" and "Grizzly Pass" in our family room.

My plan of action is to figure out who sells rustic style furniture.  I figure with all the mountain homes in this state there will hopefully be a place for these sculptures to enhance other homes.  I love them.  I brought them into this world.  I enjoyed displaying them and watching them mature.  But, now it's time for them to make a living.  

They gotta leave home and step out into the big wide world.  It's time. Their "bedrooms" are taken.